Confusion reigned in the Government yesterday after an apparently important announcement from the Ministry of Tourism was postponed then cancelled with no explanation.

Media organisations were given one and half hours' notice that Tourism Minister David Allen was making an announcement of "some urgency" at midday.

But the press conference at the Premier's official residence Camden was postponed six minutes before it was due to start, even though television and news crews had already arrived.

It was rescheduled for 1 p.m., but this time was cancelled with no notice at all and no explanation.

A bemused Mr. Allen emerged from Camden and admitted "I don't know what the story is" when asked why the press conference was cancelled.

And harassed Government Information Services had no idea what was going on either.

"The press conference has been postponed for a few days," was all Mr. Allen would say.

The Ministry of Tourism later issued a statement saying Mr. Allen offered a "heartfelt apology" to the media for messing them around.

The statement did not explain why the press conference had been postponed but only said it was "due to circumstances and events beyond the Ministry's control".